From Sr. Gurney by A. E. Gurney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 8, 1871

From Sr. Gurney.

By A. E. Gurney

THERE remaineth a rest to the people of God. But the hour for this rest has not yet come. The benefits of trial must first be gathered. The heart must be disciplined; faith must be cultivated; the power of the soul’s endurance must be tested. It is not the design of God that the Christian should

“Be carried to the skies On flowery beds of ease.”

He must “strive to enter in at the strait gate.” He must run with patience the race set before him. All the expressions of Scripture on this point imply the necessity of earnest effort. The battle

must be fought before the triumph is celebrated. A great work must be accomplished in self-discipline, in the development and growth of holy principles, ere we are prepared to wear the victor’s crown. In all the afflictions and temptations of life, the design of the Creator is discernible, and it is only when the Christian lives near the throne that he can enjoy serenity, that perfect peace; he can experience the fullness of a Saviour’s love which “passeth all understanding.” That far-distant height storms can never reach. Clouds that cast shadows upon the earth float beneath it. The strifes of wicked men do not ascend to it. There is infinite wisdom in making the throne of God the seat of perfect peace; for had we satisfying enjoyments here, we should be more attached to this world. Amid all our trials and disappointments, its charms continue to fascinate us, and its cares absorb too much of our attention. How much more becoming to “lay aside every weight,” lighten ourselves of burdens that are taken on and do not profit, and seek earnestly for the “rest that remaineth to the people of God.”

For five weeks I have not seen the REVIEW, and I have felt much disappointment when daily the mail came and no paper for me. Many times I thought of the lonely ones scattered through the country with no other preacher but the REVIEW, and how they must miss it if from any cause it failed to come at the appointed time. But yesterday five papers were brought me from the office, and I was glad to get to my room, and so nervously did I look over the papers I could hardly wait to look one article through, I was in such haste to read the next. What a feast I am enjoying; it is meat in due season, like pure, sparkling water to the thirsty, every piece is good and filled with interest to those who love the pure, strait testimony, who want their true state discovered to them that they may put away their sins and errors. I want to be among this people. Let their God be my God, let their hope be my hope. Let me share in their sorrows, help bear their burdens, that by-and-by I may enter into the rest the weary are to enjoy forever in the presence of their Saviour. Oh! what a rest remains to the people of God! It is but a little while and the struggle will be over, the victory won; and every child of God will long enjoy the blessed rest, the heavenly and eternal rest, in the kingdom of our Father.

Your sister striving for victory, A. E. GURNEY. West Wareham, July 24, 1871.